Eastern box pics

[catawhat75]

Here are some pics of the Eastern Box turtle that spend the winter in my yard. I am amazed that the dogs didn't find her.
First pic is of her when she had first dug herself out, second is after I cleaned her up. Right now she is in a tank with fresh strawberries, a bit of greens and some crickets. I plan on releasing her in a state park this weekend.

[littleindiangirl]

Looks like a male to me... lol

[fishmommy]

what a gorgeous animal!

glad he made it out of hibernation for another year

[catawhat75]

Looks like a male to me... lol

Nope, it is definitly a female. And if the rings method is to be trusted, she is about 20 years old.

Thanks fishmommy- she is gorgeous, I really thought at first she was a he b/c of how bright she is.
The second pic is her wet too so that makes her a lot brighter looking than she is dry.
I will be sad to see her go.

[Laooda]

What a stunning creature... Get lots of pics before it goes bye-bye!

[littleindiangirl]

I said a male just because of the color of the eyes. Males have the red eyes, but I dont know squat I guess.

[catawhat75]

I said a male just because of the color of the eyes. Males have the red eyes, but I dont know squat I guess.

The fist pic is deceiving a bit I guess, the flash made her eyes a redder than they are. IRL, they are much more brown. But you are correct on the males having red eyes.

[missi182]

Gorgeous! It must be hard to not keep her, but that would be mean/possibly illegal. So adorable.

[MelissaFlipski]

Beautiful! Why do you want to release her at a state park? Why not where you found her?

Some animals do not do well after being moved. They can get disoriented. Some do not survive a move.

[MelissaFlipski]

Catawhat, I hope you don't think I was being harsh by suggesting you return the turtle to the same place. Here is some information to support my recommendation:

"Important note - if you find a box turtle, please, please, please do not pick it up and take it home or release it elsewhere. I have become convinced of late that it is far more harmful to release a turtle to a new area in the wild than it is to leave it in place. For more info, see my page on "free & wild" turtles, or read the FAQ. If you have picked up a turtle, please return it to where you found it ASAP. Yes, even if the place is in the middle of a city. The best thing you can do for a turtle on the road is to move it to the side it was heading to - only if you can do so safely."
from: http://www.marietta.edu/~mcshaffd/boxt/boxt.html

More information from same website:
http://www.marietta.edu/~mcshaffd/boxt/boxfree.html

Other websites:
http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/m.../whatyoudo.htm
http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/wildli.../boxturtle.pdf
http://www.fishpondinfo.com/turtles/boxinfo.htm
http://redcreekwildlifecenter.com/blog/?p=48

I am just trying to help. I do not intend to jump on your case. But from what I'm reading, you should return her where you found her as soon as possible.